The Detroit Lions have both Reggie Bush and Joquie Bell locked up through the 2015 season, and you’d think that would make their third string running back Mikel Leshoure expendable via trade. But despite having their running back situation well in order, the Lions apparently have no desire to trade their once starting running back who has now been designated a third stringer.
According to Lions beat writer Tim Twentyman, Mikel Leshoure is not on the trade block and likely won’t be for the foreseeable future.
Mayhew also said he's not interested in trading RB Mikel Leshoure. Mayhew wants to see how he performs this season.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 24, 2014
While he’s the third string running back on paper, Leshoure has a decent chance to work himself into the offense in 2014. We have no idea what the Lions plan on doing with Bell and Bush, but it has been hinted that a multi-back system like the Saints use will be utilized.
That means Leshoure could be a third and useful wheel in the Lions running back trio, but there’s more than just that going for him. He plays on a depth chart with the oft-injured Reggie Bush, who may not be able to battle through injuries this year like he did in 2013.
All of this points to Leshoure being a bigger part of the offense than we think, and not putting him on the trade block seems to reinforce this notion.